Veterinary Advantage: Kennel Cough - At a Moment's Notice

Dr. Karyn Collier, medical director at Hillside Veterinary Clinic in Dallas, Texas, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner hospital, said she believes we are seeing a wider age range of patients with infectious respiratory diseases. Daycares and dog parks are more common, and people love to socialize their dogs and socialize with their dogs. "No age group is excluded," she said. "The age of the dog and its overall health can affect the severity of the infection."

Any place where dogs congregate carries the risk of kennel cough being present. "Our mobile lifestyles, and including our pets in those mobile lifestyles, can contribute to the spread of infection," Dr. Collier said.

Even dogs that are vaccinated appropriately can still contract a respiratory infection. A dog with a very active social life should be vaccinated against all diseases that can be prevented. "There are other agents that cause kennel cough, for which we do not currently have vaccines," Dr. Collier said. "We must also keep in mind that vaccines may not always completely prevent a dog from contracting a respiratory infection, but they should make the infection shorter and less severe."

Pet owners are very aware of how kennel cough is spread, and Dr. collier believes they do everything they can to prevent it. "The also know that, despite every precaution, their pet may still be at risk."